Effects of Shade and Sprinkling with Water on Summer Comfort of Jersey Cows

Abstract

Four grade Jersey cows were observed during 10 relatively warm days in an effort to determine how shade alone or sprinkling with water followed by shade affected their comfort. Air temperatures during periods of observation varied from 83 to 90°F. and relative humidity between 61 and 80 percent. Body temperatures of cows after exposure to sunshine for 2 hours averaged 102.66°F., and removal to shade (dry) resulted in reductions of 0.34° and 0.74°F. after 0.5 hour and 1 hour, respectively. Sprinkling of cows (with original body temperatures after being in the sun of 102.53°F.) reduced body temperatures by 0.54° F. after 0.5 hour in shade, and by 1.08°F. after 1 hour in shade. In the latter case cows had temperatures which are considered normal. Respiration rates reduced to levels which averaged lower after 0.5 hour than after 1 hour in shade. Cows not sprinkled showed a respiration rate of 83 per minute in the sun and an average decrease in rate of breathing of 27.2 at end of 0.5 hour and 25.2 after 1 hour in the shade. Cows sprinkled prior to entering shade had much greater reductions in rate of breathing than did non-sprinkled cows, i.e., 49.4 less after 0.5 hour and 41.6 less after 1 hour. Reductions in rate of breathing for non-sprinkled cows vs. those sprinkled favored the latter group by 81 per cent at end of 0.5 hour and 65 percent after 1 hour in shade. Average reduction in pulse rate for non-sprinkled cows after being in shade 0.5 hour was insignificant (0.8 per minute) but was significant (3.6)after 1 hour. Cows when sprinkled showed decreases in pulse rate that averaged 6.1 after 0.5 hour and 6.6 after 1 hour. Either shade alone or sprinkling followed by shade was found effective in reducing body temperature, respiration rate, and pulse rate of dairy cows, with the second procedure being more rapid and also more effective in causing animals to approach readings which are considered normal. © 1947, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.